Unique, Enchanting, Delightful Paper Treasures

Random Facts About You?

* I love to ballroom, swing, country line dance
* I am trying to become fluent in sign language
* I love teenagers and taught high school for 6 years
* I once thought I was born a century to late because I love the Jane Austen era

What got you started crafting?

I have been crafting as long as I can remember. My mom was my inspiration. Although she denies it she is incredbly creative. She made my world come alive with all different paper crafts and coloring and drawing. In crafting I saw that I could (in a small way) replicate the beautiful world around me. I love the colors of our world and I love using everyday materials to create treasures that bring joy and hope to others.

What is your source of inspiration?

My inspiration comes from everywhere. I see inspiration in nature, magazines, clothing, and in thing that people think are odd- like cement and water. I think as a crafter one sees inspiration in everything. We believe that there is beauty to be found and created and we want to give that to others.

What have you made recently?

I recently completed a mini scrapbook album entitled "25 wishes" for my sister. It was a small album designed for her so that she could originally take it to college and now for her first apartment. I was inspired by gift tags as the "look" but wanted something more durable so I took a black sheet of posterboard (heavy) and cut it up into 26 "tags" approximately the size of 2 by 4. I choose this size so that I could include pictures but also could keep the look that I was going for of being unique. After cutting out all of the tags I then attached pictures, sayings, and my 25 "wishes" for her went on the backs of all of the boards.

This piece stands out to me because it was something that I made specifically for a family member but was an heirloom treasure as I included old pictures and sayings that have been passed down from different women generations in our family.

In all of my crafts- even for those of someone that I do not know well I always include a personal touch of my own. On everything I make I always write down a blessing and even though sometimes it is covered up (due to the nature of the craft) that blessing stays with that person. I also use everyday materials that are treasures. In recent family gifts I have been using small pieces of lace that is from the1800s that our ancestors brought over from India. Every design I have is unique and original. This is to replicate how every person we encounter is unique and has their own story.

Where do you sell your crafts presently?

For the past several years I have only been selling my crafts to friends who wanted gifts for weddings, birthdays, etc. It was just recently that I started my "official" website and am just at the ground roots!

Why are handmade crafts important to you?

I choose Handmade because it brings with it a richness that is not found anywhere else. Just as I have stories of things in each piece I make other crafters have their own stories too. I love that depth. It can only come from being handmade. It is made with passion and love.

Find Me

Location
USA

Email Address
Rebecca VanDeMark

Personal Website
http://decembercaravan.wordpress.com

Store Website
http://decembercaravan.wordpress.com